Rotary pill dispenser and method of use

1. A patient-handled automated medication dispenser device communicable with a communications host, the dispenser device comprising:

a medication dispensing and storage module for storing and dispensing medication including a loading dose and at least one continuing treatment dose;

a dispensing drive and control mechanism for dispensing the medication;

a communications interface for communicating with the communications host;

a processor and a memory having localized control software with instructions executable by the processor to:

receive a patient-initiated activation of the dispenser device to dispense the loading dose of the medication;

cause the dispensing drive and control mechanism to dispense the loading dose from the dispenser device based on receiving the activation;

following dispensing the loading dose, cause the dispenser device to

restrict dispensing of any continuing treatment doses without additional dosing instructions,

communicatively connect with the communications host,

communicate to the communications host the dispensing of the loading dose, and

receive additional dosing instructions from the communications host, with input of a supervising medical provider; and

following receiving the additional dosing instructions, cause the dispenser device to

allow dispensing of one or more continuing treatment doses based on the additional dosing instructions received,

receive a second patient-initiated activation of the dispenser device to dispense continuing treatment dose(s) of the medication, and

cause the dispensing drive and control mechanism to continue dispensing treatment dose(s) based on receiving the second activation and the additional dosing instructions received.

2. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

prior to dispensing the loading dose, cause the dispenser device to display availability of the loading dose, and

following receiving the additional dosing instructions, cause the dispenser device to display a continuing treatment dose is available.

3. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the receiving a patient-initiated activation of the dispenser device includes receiving an actuation of a button on the dispenser device.

4. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

following dispensing the loading dose and prior to receiving the additional dosing instructions, cause the dispensing device to display a message to contact the supervising medical provider for additional dosing instructions for the dispensing device.

5. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

following receiving the additional dosing instructions, cause the dispenser device to alert the host if a dose has not been taken at a prescribed time.

6. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

following receiving the additional dosing instructions, cause the dispenser device to alert a supervising medical provider via the host if a dose has not been taken at a prescribed time.

7. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

prior to dispensing the loading dose, communicatively connect the dispenser device with the host device, and the dispenser device receive communication from the host device regarding availability of the loading dose.

8. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing the continuing treatment dose(s) of the medication includes operating the dispenser device to deliver a quantity of medication according to the dosing instructions and counting delivery of a predetermined quantity of medication towards the additional dosing instruction.

9. The dispenser device of claim 1 , wherein the localized control software includes instructions further executable by the processor to

following dispensing the loading dose and prior to receiving the additional dosing instructions, the dispenser device receiving a third input to dispense a continuing treatment dose of the medication; and

wherein restricting the dispensing of any continuing treatment dose includes preventing the dispensing of the continuing treatment dose even though the third input was received and the dispenser device includes the at least continuing treatment dose.

10. A communications host for an automated medication dispenser system having a plurality of dispenser devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of dispenser devices comprises a medication dispensing and storage module for storing and dispensing medication including a loading dose and at least one continuing treatment dose, a dispensing drive and control mechanism for dispensing the medication, and a communications interface communicable with the communications host, the communications host comprising a processor and a memory having administration software with instructions executable by the processor to:

communicatively connect with the at least one dispenser device;

receive communication that the at least one dispenser device dispensed the loading dose of the medication;

communicatively connect with a supervising medical provider;

communicate to the supervising medical that the at least one dispenser device dispensed the loading dose of the medication;

receive input from the supervising medical provider with additional dosing instructions; and

communicate to the at least one dispenser device to allow dispensing of one or more continuing treatment doses based on the received additional dosing instructions.